Big 12 rivals meet in Lawrence

Lawrence, KS (Sports Network) – The fifth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks hope to add
another win to their already impressive record as they host the struggling
Missouri Tigers in Big 12 Conference action.

Missouri is still in search of its first Big 12 win, as the squad has suffered
three straight defeats since the start of conference play. On Saturday, the
Tigers dropped an 85-81 decision to Kansas State at home, and they have lost
both of their true road games entering tonight’s clash.

Kansas is riding a nine-game win streak that includes back-to-back victories
since the start of league play. The Jayhawks blasted an outstanding Oklahoma
State team by 30 points last week before recording a thrilling 68-64 overtime
triumph over Iowa State on Saturday.

Kansas owns a 162-93 advantage in the all-time series with Missouri, and the
teams split a pair of meetings last season.

Marshall Brown racked up 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting from Missouri, but that
effort was not good enough to help the squad avoid defeat at the hands of the
Kansas State Wildcats. Jason Horton added 13 points for the Tigers, who got 10
points from Leo Lyons. Without question, the most obvious factor that led to
defeat was a 41-17 rebounding disadvantage, including a 13-2 deficit on the
offensive glass. Missouri also suffered a 37-23 deficit in points from the foul
line, overshadowing the fact that the Tigers forced 24 turnovers. Through 15
games, Missouri is averaging 78.7 ppg on the strength of the team’s 40.8
percent shooting from three-point range. Defensively, the club is limiting foes
to 67.8 ppg. Although he wasn’t much of a factor against K-State, Stefhon
Hannah leads the Tigers with 16.0 ppg, 72 assists and 54 steals.

Through 17 games, Kansas is scoring 77.1 ppg on 48.6 percent shooting from the
floor, and the club is yielding only 58.1 ppg on 36.9 percent efficiency from
the field. The Jayhawks have forced more than 300 turnovers and are
outrebounding foes by 7.4 rpg. Four players are averaging double figures in
scoring for KU, and Brandon Rush leads the group with 13.5 ppg. Mario Chalmers
adds 12.3 ppg, while Darrell Arthur (11.8 ppg) and Julian Wright (11.4 ppg)
bring balance to the lineup. Kansas played outstanding defense against Iowa
State on Saturday, limiting the Cyclones to 37.1 percent shooting from the
floor. Sasha Kaun, the team’s center, came through with 13 points in the
victory. Rush added 12 points, but he only shot 4-of-14 from the floor. A 52-36
rebounding advantage helped the Jayhawks win the contest.